Agricultural Research Service

It’s #NationalPepperMonth! 🌶️🫑
ARS researchers in Oxford, MS, are helping Americans live healthier lives with peppers. Packed with nutrients, several varieties of peppers are gaining popularity in the United States—from the restaurant to the dinner table. While working to develop new pepper cultivars, ARS researchers also find the chemical compound in certain peppers, like TigerPaw (pictured), may also reduce blood sugar levels. This research is especially important in the fight against diabetes. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di…
#NationalDiabetesMonth

ARS researchers and collaborators used citizen science to confirm the first North American report of Pheidole parva—a small, big‑headed ant found in Florida through observations on the iNaturalist website. Their work highlights how community partnerships strengthen early detection of invasive species. aglab.ars.usda.gov/learn-and-expl…

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the National Arboretum and the 250th birthday of our nation, the Museum has accepted several new bonsai into their collection. They include bonsai generously donated by highly esteemed North American and Japanese artists that will make their debut in the Museum this fall.
While the bonsai from Japan remain in quarantine (having only made the journey to the United States this past Spring) stunning 3D images of each tree will be displayed and accompanied by three newly donated viewing stones (suiseki). For more information on the celebration of these generous gifts:
fona.org/events/50th-an…

Congrats to the U.S. National Arboretum—celebrating 50 years of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum! 🎉
Join the celebration on Nov. 7 at the National Arboretum’s Bonsai & Penjing Museum and gardens in Washington, D.C., with demonstrations, tours, food trucks, and family-friendly activities during the day (free and open to the public). Also enjoy an extra special bonsai-themed science café in the evening.
Tickets are required for the science café and are available at: eventbrite.com/e/science-cafe…)
For more information: fona.org/events/50th-an…

In #ScientificDiscoveries, learn how ARS researchers helped America’s food processors determine that a popular shipping method was not contributing to the risk of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli in romaine lettuce. scientificdiscoveries.ars.usda.gov/explore-our-di…